Natasha

"Jesus, take Mrs. Amelia into your arms..." I was standing beside the tomb that was opened to receive my grandmother's body while the priest said the last prayers before his coffin was lowered. This had been one of the worst days of my life, since the moment I received Mart's message and arrived at the hospital and she was already dead. My grandmother always did everything for us and I feel that we never managed to give back the way she deserved, but she knew that for being a wonderful person in life, surely, God would reward her in some way.
I stayed by my family and my friends came over to hug me. The embrace of each one was comforting, but everything was strange, it seemed that I wasn't in me and didn't realize what was happening around me, it was like a dream that I could wake up at any moment. When Edgar's turn came I felt a lump forming in my throat and then I let myself be carried away by the warmth of his arms, I cried like a child while he held me, he was there for me at that moment and that was all I needed, he had always been my friend since he was a child and over time he became more than that and there was no way to erase everything we live from our lives. After enjoying this moment, we let go and he walked away.
I was beside the headstone and I don't know how long I was there, because I didn't realize that everyone was gone. Flashes flashed like a film in my head, of all the moments I lived beside her, of the meals we shared, of Christmas nights, the conversations by the fireplace on cold nights, the little gifts that my grandparents insisted on giving us at Christmas and birthdays. Despite the difficulties we had a happy childhood in the time we spent with them.

- Tasha, I'll take you home. - Edgar put his arm behind my back and I just let myself be taken.
- Do you want to go to your grandparents' house, or to your house? - He was driving a few minutes ago when he asked me.
- No, I don't want to look at that sad house without she. - Certainly the void was installed in my grandparents' house and I wasn't ready for that yet. - I don't want to go to my apartment either. - Karin would probably be there with her music and all the movement and I didn't want to spoil anyone's mood.
- Fine.
It was already quite dark when we entered his apartment and I couldn't help observing how clean and organized everything looked and it was possible to feel his presence in every detail.
- Feel free. I'll prepare something to eat.
- I'm not hungry...
- I know not, but I also know that you must not have eaten anything since yesterday. - He headed for the small kitchen and I stayed quiet on the sofa until he approached with two plates of pasta with vegetables and two glasses of soda.

I hardly touched the food, not that it wasn't good, because the smell looked great, but my stomach wasn't accepting anything, I just nibbled a little so he wouldn't be disappointed.

Edgar

- You want to do something? See a movie, I don't know. - I realized that I was stupid to ask this, she should just want to be alone without anyone disturbing and asking at all times if she wanted anything. - I'll leave you alone. - I was getting up and she took my arm.
- Stay here. - She had swollen eyes and what I saw was someone who was feeling bad about all that and I didn't want to make anything worse.
I sat down again and she snuggled into my arms and we stayed like that. We were as close as we hadn't been for so long and I just wanted her to be okay. I knew what she was going through and it wasn't easy. Losing someone we love is the hardest blow we can take in life. When I lost my father I thought I wouldn't be able to continue living, but with time things will calm down and we ended up accepting it as something we need to go through.
After a while I couldn't count Natasha let go of my arms and looked me in the eye, she was very close, she held my face with both hands, our foreheads and noses almost touching and it was possible to feel the warmth of her breath in my face, and also the smell of your perfume. - Tasha... - My voice hardly came out.
- Eddie, don't say anything, just kiss me. - As if her request was an order I kissed her, and it was perfect, I felt back in time, that time when we were together and kissing her was something I did very often.
Our kiss was intense and lasted a long time, our tongues fighting for space. She pulled my T-shirt up and I helped her out and took it off. I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed. Our actions were urgent and in a short time we were only wearing underwear. Each touch, each kiss seemed to light a fire that had long been asleep.

- Tasha, are you sure you want to do this? - I spoke softly, taken by all the emotion that moment brought me. I didn't know how far she was aware of what we were doing, so much had happened in those two days and I needed to know if what was happening there was real.
- Yes, I know what I'm doing. - She looked at me and I saw a lot of desire in her eyes. - I just want to make love to you.
We quickly removed what was missing from our clothes and everything went to tremendous urgency, as if we depended on it for a living, maybe we did, as if this night would dispel all the heavy events of the last days and also all the years we spent separated. I touched and kissed every part of her body that night and she did the same to me, I loved her intensely, we were delivered and the world outside was nothing close to everything that happened there in that room. Finally, embraced and exhausted, we succumb to sleep.

Remi

We just got back from another rescue mission. I'm tired, but reinvigorated by having it all right again. We had a hard time having to flee a militia controlled by the mafia chief along with the Bangladeshi police. We act outside the law, we can be called mercenaries, but what we do saves many innocent people from the hands of mobsters. I got a cut on my left arm that earned me eight stitches that were sutured by a girl in our group who has first aid training. Acting outside the law is the best we have. This shelter is smaller than the others, but more cozy, the fireplace was lit recently and I already feel the heat dissipate throughout the environment. I think the staff left early due to tiredness.
- Do you want a drink? - I get scared with Clem standing behind me. - Or something else...
- I already told you about that... - I scold him.
- I know, but there were times when you didn't think of him and gave in. - He teases me.
- Yeah, but it won't happen anymore. - He gives me an enigmatic look.

- Why so much resistance to talk about your past?
- Because I think the less we know each other, the less the attachment will be if it ever ends, and I don't care if any of you were once a cop or a hit man.
I swear I tried to move on, but all the times it was frustrating, I even manage to live in the moment, but then I feel bad, so I decided not to think about it anymore until I'm sure that I will be able to leave everything behind.

The days here fly by, the missions are exhausting, but rewarding. Returning the victim to the family is what moves us to continue. Do I think about NY? Yes, in my past, in everything that happened. I miss Roman and also the high school days that was when I worried less about the future and what I would become there a few years ago. I walk away and pick up the phone, I need to make a call.

Patty

Let's see, this activity hadn't yet appeared that way.
- Hey Patts!
- Rich! - I get scared and I jump. Rich pisses me off, despite being a good computer technician. - Don't come any more without telling me! - I scold him.
He positions himself beside me and starts to observe what I'm doing. - What are you doing here at this hour?
- I spent most of the afternoon at Tasha's grandmother's funeral and I needed to finish some things that I left pending. - Tasha was devastated, I would have stayed to take her home, but Edgar offered. She needs someone around right now and maybe he is the best person.
- And what were you looking at there?
- Look at this activity flashing here. It looks like a phone call. I will try to triangulate. - With Rich's help, I position all possible equipment and software.
- I'm almost! - Rich holds the mouse with unnecessary force.
- Easy, Rich, maybe it's nothing!
- It has to be, Patty. How long have we been waiting for a signal and we still have nothing.
- I did it!